The reigning All-Around World Champion will be competing in both Bull Riding and Saddle Bronc Riding at the NFR for the first time in his career. In 2019 Wright earned his first All-Around World Championship after finishing with $297,923 on the season. To defend that title he will have to make up $25,000 on Tuf Cooper, who currently sits in first place in the All-Around standings.
It was not a sure thing that Stetson would qualify for the NFR in Saddle Bronc Riding until late in the season as he was on the bubble fighting for a top-15 spot the majority of the 2020 season.
He did start this year off impressively, winning more than $11,000 at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo thanks to placing in the top-three in three rounds, including winning the fourth round after an 87.5 point ride on Wild Cherry.
STETSON WRIGHT - 87.5 POINTS, SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW AND RODEO
Stetson had another big payday the weekend of July 21 at the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo and the Deadwood Days of ’76 rodeo.
In Spanish Fork Wright placed second after an 87 point ride on Medicine Woman and that earned him $5,151.
STETSON WRIGHT - 87 POINTS, SPANISH FORK FIESTA DAYS RODEO
That same weekend in Deadwood, South Dakota, Wright placed second at the Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo after an 86.5 point ride.
STETSON WRIGHT - 86.5 POINT RIDE, DEADWOOD DAYS OF ’76 RODEO
Stetson would spend the majority of the 2020 season on the bubble, and at one point it looked like he may not qualify for the NFR in Saddle Bronc Riding. That would change after Wright had a big showing at the Pro Tour Finale.
At the Finale Wright placed in three rounds thanks to three straight rides of 85 points or higher.
In round two Wright went 86 points on Ragin Lunatic which put him in fourth place for the round.
STETSON WRIGHT - 86 POINTS, PRO TOUR FINALE
He would follow up that showing with an 85 point ride in round three which earned him a $2,000 paycheck and got him that much closer to securing a spot inside the top-15.
In the Finals of the rodeo Wright all but clinched his spot at the NFR thanks to a 90 point ride on Lunatic From Hell which would win the Tour Finale and add $4,500 to his season earnings.
STETSON WRIGHT - 90 POINTS, PRO TOUR FINALE
Wright enters the NFR 13th in the world in saddle bronc riding and 8th in bull riding. While he may not win a Gold Buckle in either event, he has a great chance to win his second All-Around Title.
